Down-ballot races across Bucks County could shift the balance of power in the Pennsylvania General Assembly as voters head to the polls for the Nov. 3 election.
While the governor’s race sits at the top of the ticket, the outcome in the state’s legislative chambers will determine how state policy moves forward. Democrats currently occupy the Governor’s Mansion and hold a one-vote majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, boosted by a recent special election win following 12 years of Republican control that ended with party flips in 2022. Meanwhile, Republicans maintain a slim 27-23 advantage in the state Senate.
The Battle for the Pennsylvania State Senate
With half of the state Senate up for election, the upper legislative branch features three critical districts intersecting Bucks County. Democrats need to flip three seats while holding every seat they currently defend to secure a 26-24 majority, an electoral sweep not accomplished in decades. Historically, Senate control has remained firmly with Republicans for 32 years, with party shifts triggered during midterm waves in 1994, 2006, 2010, and 2022.
In State Senate District 6, which covers Bensalem, Lower Southampton, Middletown, Northampton, Upper Southampton, Warminster, Warrington, Warwick, Wrightstown, Hulmeville, Ivyland, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, and Penndel, Democratic challenger Eileen Hartnett Albillar is facing Republican incumbent Frank Farry.
Further east in State Senate District 10—encompassing Bristol, Buckingham, Doylestown, Falls, Lower Makefield, New Britain, Newtown, Plumstead, Solebury, and Upper Makefield townships alongside the boroughs of Bristol, Chalfont, Doylestown, Morrisville, New Britain, New Hope, Newtown, Tullytown, and Yardley—Democratic incumbent Steve Santarsiero is running against Republican challenger Gregory Bankos Jr.
Rounding out the county’s Senate contests is State Senate District 16, covering Bedminster, Durham, Hilltown, and Tinicum, alongside Quakertown, Perkasie, and a portion of Telford. Republican incumbent Jarrett Coleman is defending his seat against Democratic challenger Mark Pinsley.
Contests in the Pennsylvania State House
Because all 203 seats in the state House are on the ballot every two years, the legislative map across Bucks County’s ten districts will directly test whether Democrats can protect or expand their edge.
In State House District 18, spanning Bensalem and Hulmeville, Democratic candidate Bryan Allen is challenging Republican incumbent K.C. Tomlinson. Moving into State House District 29, which includes Buckingham, Doylestown Township, Solebury, Chalfont, Doylestown Borough, New Britain Borough, and New Hope, Democratic incumbent Tim Brennan faces Republican challenger Sean Duffy.
Voters in State House District 31—covering Lower Makefield, Newtown Township, Upper Makefield, Newtown Borough, and Yardley—will see Democratic incumbent Perry Warren on the ballot without a Republican competitor. Meanwhile, in State House District 140, covering Falls, Morrisville, Tullytown, and parts of Middletown, Democratic incumbent Jim Prokopiak faces Republican challenger Michael Gettis.
State House District 141 pits Democratic incumbent Tina Davis against Republican challenger Ken Velez in Bristol Borough and Bristol Township. In State House District 142, covering Lower Southampton, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, Penndel, and parts of Middletown and Northampton, Democratic candidate Kristin Egan is running against Republican incumbent Joe Hogan.
In State House District 143—encompassing Bedminster, Hilltown, Plumstead, Tinicum, Dublin, Perkasie, Sellersville, Silverdale, and parts of New Britain Township—Democratic challenger Tim Hayes is challenging Republican incumbent Shelby Labs. State House District 144 features Democratic incumbent Brian Munroe defending his seat in Warminster, Warrington, Ivyland, and part of New Britain Township against Republican challenger Mike Murphy.
Across State House District 145, which spans Bridgeton, Durham, East Rockhill, Haycock, Milford, Nockamixon, Richland, Springfield, West Rockhill, Quakertown, Richlandtown, Riegelsville, the Bucks County portion of Telford, and Trumbauersville, Democratic candidate Les Mauves is challenging Republican incumbent Craig Staats. Finally, in State House District 178, covering Upper Southampton, Warwick, Wrightstown, and parts of Northampton, Democratic candidate Monica Weninger faces Republican incumbent Kristin Marcell.
Polls remain open on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
